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Help Please-weight gain with 1200 calories

I was eating about 900 calories a day and weight loss was stalled. I was advised to be eating 1200 calories so I increased and I have now gained 4 lbs in 5 days...help!! It looks to me like my body does not need 1200 calories...any advise ??????

It's likely that what you actually gained was water especially if you added those calories in the way of carbohydrates. Carbs are notorious for water weight gain. 900 calories per day is way too little and with that few calories your metabolism is probably slower that ever. Stick with the 1200, drink lots of water-your 8 glasses and make sure your eating sensibly within that caloric range with lots of veggies and lean protein and some fruit. Eventually your metabolism will kick in again. Goodluck and don't give up. Slow and steady wins the race.

if you were maintaining on 900 then 1200 only adds an additional 300, for 5 days that equals 1500 which is equal to less than 1/2 a pound since a pound is equal to 3500 calories. what you're seeing is likely water weight and maybe a bit of extra food in your digestive tract that will be excreted in time...so, dont freak out and don't turn back, you'll adjust and thank yourself for the extra calories later!!

Just keep it up. It may take your body up to a month to get used to the higher calorie intake. But you'll be thankful later. Chrissy is right, that definitly sounds like water weight and your metabolism is probably running pretty slow right now. It will get back on track if you don't back down. Then you'll just have to do this all over again later. :-) good luck!

900 calories? That is incredibly low. More than likely, your body has been freaking out because it thinks it is starving. It's holding on to anything and everything you put into it. That's probably why your weight loss stalled and also why you gained weight when you increased your caloric intake. Your body is in starvation mode and it will take a while before your metabolism returns to a healthy level. Definitely do not return to 900 calories. Just wait it out at 1200 and make sure you are eating healthy foods and getting all the nutrients you need. Eventually you should lose that extra weight, and be more healthy at the same time.

So, if I have eaten 1200 calories consistently for 2 years after having lost 30 lb using Weight Watchers,  and have steadily GAINED weight over those two years, does that mean I'm in starvation mode too and also have to raise my caloric intake?

I haven't been cheating, I know how to count calories, and no, its not muscle mass, so that takes care of the three other standard answers I've heard.

I can't believe that that arbitrary 1200 calorie mark works for everyone.  It certainly isn't working for me.  According to the calculators on this site, I should be burning about 1700 calories a day, thus losing weight.

So I don't buy it.

(I'm 5'3")

irideon.

Thank you someone that is understanding me.  I again gained 1/2 ld overnight so much for the 1200 calories helping me.  I am heading right back to where I started weight wise.  I am thinking this calorie counting is a little off, it is not the same for everyone so where does that leave us?

Original Post by ctgal66:

irideon.

Thank you someone that is understanding me. I again gained 1/2 ld overnight so much for the 1200 calories helping me. I am heading right back to where I started weight wise. I am thinking this calorie counting is a little off, it is not the same for everyone so where does that leave us?

The main thing about losing weight (No matter which program you are following) is that you have to burn more than you are putting into your stomach.

I guarantee you that the extra 300 cals you are eating are not harming you. The weight you gained is not fat, it is water, and probably sodium related. It's also the waste still contained inside your body. Instead of using breads for those extra 300 calories, eat things with tons of fibre, like bananas or an apple.

Whole fruits with fibre are better, and keep you fuller longer.

My gym teacher taught me the four F's:
Forget about Food, Focus on Fitness.

Just do some extra cardio to compensate for the extra 300 cals.

Original Post by irideon:

So, if I have eaten 1200 calories consistently for 2 years after having lost 30 lb using Weight Watchers,  and have steadily GAINED weight over those two years, does that mean I'm in starvation mode too and also have to raise my caloric intake?

I haven't been cheating, I know how to count calories, and no, its not muscle mass, so that takes care of the three other standard answers I've heard.

I can't believe that that arbitrary 1200 calorie mark works for everyone.  It certainly isn't working for me.  According to the calculators on this site, I should be burning about 1700 calories a day, thus losing weight.

So I don't buy it.

(I'm 5'3")

 

 

 

 No, 1200 calories does not work for everyone, but less than 1200 calories in the end does NOT WORK for ANY FEMALE (unless you are extremely small)

http://caloriecount.about.com/cal-bull-part-f t76884-2#48

Like the other girls said...this is the food weight in your stomach and digestive tract, water weight, and your body holding on to everything you put in it...YOU ARE STARVING SWEETHEART! 

Once your body gets used to the little bit of extra, much needed calories, your abused metabolism will kick into gear, and you'll shed this little bit of extra weight, PLUS MORE!  Trust me...your body needs the energy (calories), nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that you are lacking on a 900 calorie diet. 

I just increased my calories from 1200-1500 or 1600  a day, and I'm losing, I'm in better moods, I don't feel deprived, I have more energy, and I feel really strong during my workouts...it's a win win for me, because in the end I'm happy and have more energy :)

Original Post by irideon:

So, if I have eaten 1200 calories consistently for 2 years after having lost 30 lb using Weight Watchers,  and have steadily GAINED weight over those two years, does that mean I'm in starvation mode too and also have to raise my caloric intake?

I haven't been cheating, I know how to count calories, and no, its not muscle mass, so that takes care of the three other standard answers I've heard.

I can't believe that that arbitrary 1200 calorie mark works for everyone.  It certainly isn't working for me.  According to the calculators on this site, I should be burning about 1700 calories a day, thus losing weight.

So I don't buy it.

(I'm 5'3")

Irideon, if eating 1200 calories at 5'3" is making you gain weight then there's something else that you need to look at.  Please make an appointment with your doctor and perhaps a nutritionist to take a look.  It is abnormal to gain weight while eating 1200 calories.  In fact, 1200 calories is often too low for many women, so if you truly are measuring accurately and not forgetting to log extra sweets and treats and you're preparing your own food, then it's time to consider whether or not a medical issue might be at the root of your weight loss problems.

Duplicate topic here:

Weight stalled then gained help: I QUIT